PA after OT?

[Una]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi! I am interested in behavior and diagnostic work. I have gotten into occupational therapy in Canada though, and I am thinking of going. I love what OTs do, and the way they work with patients - the focus is very holistic, cognitive, and related to psychology as well as education. However, in addition to focusing on the behavioral side of things, I would also like to diagnose biological problems. I am thinking that I could get my degree in OT, get a few upper level science classes while I'm in it, then work for a few years as an OT paying off student loans, and gathering useful hospital hours of direct clinical work. Then, I could apply to PA school. Could that be possible??
After finishing, could I have a part-time (maybe 4 days a week) PA job, so that I could continue doing OT work?
I could not go to PA school now, as I do not have upper level science classes, and the pre-med classes I do have are very low in terms of GPA. I am hoping that the OT degree would put further distance between my current grades, and I could get good grades in the 3-4 upper level sci classes I take as electives while getting my MA. Would this work? Would OT clinical work count as clinical hours for a PA???

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[deleted6669]

had a few ot's in my class. the time as an ot would count towards clinical hrs. you might want to get an ortho or physiatry/sports medicine pa job as an ot/pa because the pa salary is considerably higher than ot so you probably wouldn't want to do ot work once a certified pa.
good luck

 

[Freeeedom!]

My suggestion is the path that I took...I was a PT prior to becoming a physician. I simply felt the "no shortcut" approach was for me. I wanted nothing less and I would bet as a independently working OT, working independently as a physician may fit well.
Do not let the task ahead of you feel impossible, anything worth having and achieving is not easy. Looking at Physiatry or Rheumatology residencies may be the way for you...there is no substitute for thorough learning.